Wen Xia and Yan Yang watched all of this from behind a tree.

Their eyes wide at the display, Master Tai Qiang had very easily matched Master Hai Jingyi, a wonderous battle between skill and talent that made all other great battles pale in comparison; even rivalling those of history!

The only one they could think that even came close to what they were seeing would be the battle of Changpin or that of the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Dynasty where ten thousand strong lost their lives.

Eyes filled with stars watched how Master Hai Jingyi disappeared and reappeared; attacking from every open vantage point and how Master Tai Qiang met each strike from a constantly shifting opponent.

Their movements so fast their eyes could barely follow.

The vine attack they watched slack-jawed, assessing just how far ahead of them the two men before them were.

Yes, they had made a lot of progress with their cultivation but watching their duel they knew they didn't even meet their eyes if their training had taken them to the top of a mountain Master Hai Jignyi and Master Tai Qiang were in the heavens.

And then Master Tai Qiang caught master hai Jingyi, even with his sword gleaming near Master hai Jingiy's neck and him glaring daggers at Tai Qiang they had to admit it was an oddly pleasing image

"What an interesting technique, it seems effective at subduing one's opponent” the smaller one, Wen Xia, remarked taking notes while Yan Yang’s eyes grew bright at the two, he found the image of his two heroes being somewhat friendly to each other rather pleasing.

“Our Masters are very close," he said all smiling,

Master Hai Jingyi with his unmatched power and Master Tai Qiang with his unrivalled skill getting along so well, it was a beautiful thing to him.

“In a sense, this disciple feels that are intruding on something sacred,” Yan Yang remarked but he didn't move from his perch.

What the boy was experiencing were the first steps of his descent into shipping, the two were a lovely sight; Master Hai Jingyi with his princely aura and confident gleam in his eye staring down Master Tai Qiang, who looked as noble as ever,

For whatever reason, his heart felt very warm.

“This is simply an observation, we are doing nothing wrong,” Wen Xia assured, “and from today observation, we are but ants in a field of dragons,”

The gap between the pairs was wide, but Wen Xia was confident one day they would match, rival perhaps even surpass their masters,

“Still it makes for a pretty sight,” Yan Yang whispered watching them, and then he heard Master Hai Jingyi say an interesting word,

“Rewind.”

His dark eyes were glowing blue as he said it then they were all reverted to a few moments earlier, the time shift was jarring and they struggled to comprehend what Master Hai Jingyi Just did

Wen Xia blew up,

“That was Incredible!” He whisper-yelled shaking Yan Yang, “The applications are limitless! What if you reverse a person to before they were born? Or age one to dust! Would it work on injuries? Just how far can one take it?”

Yan Yang shook him off covering his mouth, “Quiet or we’ll be caught!”

Yan Yang did not want to think of what terrible punishment would await them if Master Tai Qiang found them, Master Hai Jingyi would probably be kind but Master Tai Qiang was unpredictable much like a still lake the water ran deep hiding its intent in the black waters, he did not want to test them

“I’ve known you're here for a while though.” they heard looking up to find Master Tai Qiang staring down at them.

They quickly bowed pressing their heads to the floor, Tai Qiang's cold stare chilling their backs,

“These disciples meant no disrespect!” they yelped, their hearts  were racing praying for an intervention of any kind

“Ah, Wen Xia Yan Yang what are you doing here?” Master Hai Jingyi asked

"We're saved!" Yan Yang thought holding back a sigh of relief, "Master will surely keep us from harm!"

Act as the warm fire to the icy lake that was Tai Qiang. Balancing each other like yin and yang, the maiden taming the beast... he paused at his thoughts concerned at the direction they were heading...perhaps he needed to be punished after all...thinking of his elders in such a light was surely very disrespectful.

“May we speak Tai Qiang,” Wen Xia asked meekly

Tai Qiang nodded and wen Xia launched into an overly animated narration of how they saw them going up the mountain and since they had mostly done their chores and trained a bit they could follow them and observe their sparring and maybe learn something along the way.

“And what did you learn?” Master Tai Qiang asked

“That we have much to learn.” Yan Yang said

Tai Qiang seemed satisfied with that answer shifting his focus to Hai Jingyi, whose complexion was a little pale

“We should go back, you need to rest.”

“I said I’m fine,” he sighed, “Actually I have a few errands to run, you go ahead I’ll head down to the village,”

“I insist you take a break,”

“And I insist that I am fine but if it puts you at ease these two are coming with me,”

Yan Yang resisted the urge to smile, he found their interaction very cute but he knew he would Be severely reprimanded if he said so,

“Then I’ll drop you off,”

Master Hai Jingyi sighed

“No need its a full moon, I’ll make sure things are alright over there I’ll find you when I get back.”

“Ah, yes,” Wen Xia thought “demons are more active during full moons this master is very dedicated,”

“Still-”

“Plus since I won it’ll give you time to think of my prize,” the expression on Master Hai Jingyi’s face reminded Yan Yang of a pleased cat

A slight smile showed on Master Tai Qiangs face, “As you wish,” He said and walked away,

The two boys felt odd, they had been in the Jade sect for years and never seen the second eldest brother smile it felt like they had witnessed one of the worlds rare wonders much like a dragon's hatching or a phoenix rebirth

Yan Yang fiercely fought the grin threatening to split his face

“Are you alright yan Yang?”

“Yes, master Hai Jingyi it is just that this disciple feels like a farmer whose crops have been watered after a long drought, it's rather refreshing.”

“What?” Wen Xia asked confused at his sect brothers ramblings, master Hai Jingyi was unfazed

“Oh, then let's go.” he turned and began to walk downhill

“Wouldnt master rather fly down? It would take us a few hours to walk,” Yan Yang stated noting it was noon, the heat alone would make the journey uncomfortable

“Oh yes...” he paused before grabbing both of them by their collars

“Master what are you doing?!” Wen Xia yelped

“a necessary evil,” he said before they were thrown into an odd colour void Vanishing from view